Convection steamer

Abstract

There is provided an apparatus for steaming food contained within a perforated food basket. The apparatus includes a convector that urges steam upward and having an exit that permits steam to pass therethrough and out of the apparatus, a removable lid for sealing the exit, a steam chamber defined within at least one perforated food basket for receipt of food. The at least one perforated food basket is positioned below the convector and above a heater for providing steam to the steam chamber. The apparatus also comprises a receiving portion for receiving a water reservoir, a timer, and a tilt top housing.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. An apparatus for steaming food comprising: 
       a perforated food basket for defining a steam chamber for receipt of the food;  
       a convector having means for urging steam upward, said steam chamber being positioned below said urging means;  
       means for providing steam to said steam chamber, said providing means being positioned below said steam chamber,  
       wherein said urging means urges steam from said providing means through said steam chamber to said convector, and  
       a second perforated food basket for defining a second steam chamber for receipt of the food, said second perforated food basket being positioned between said convector and said perforated food basket.  
     
     
       2. The apparatus of claim  1 , wherein said convector has an exit that permits steam to pass therethrough and out of the apparatus. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of claim  1 , further comprising a removable lid for sealing said steam chamber. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of claim  1 , wherein said convector has a motor and a fan. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of claim  1 , wherein said convector is connected to an electric contact. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of claim  5 , wherein said electric contact is a slide electronic contact that permits use of more than one perforated food basket. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of claim  1 , further comprising a timer. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of claim  1 , wherein said timer acts as a switch. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of claim  1 , further comprising means for removably receiving a water reservoir. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of claim  1 , wherein said means for providing steam includes a boil chamber. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus of claim  10 , wherein said boil chamber has a heater. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus of claim  11 , wherein said boil chamber has a thermostat. 
     
     
       13. The apparatus of claim  1 , further comprising a tilt top disposed between said providing means and said perforated food basket, wherein said tilt top collects condensate from said perforated food basket and is biased to collect said condensate away from said providing means. 
     
     
       14. An apparatus for steaming food comprising: 
       a convector having means for urging steam upward and having an exit that permits steam to pass therethrough and out of the apparatus;  
       a removable lid for sealing said exit;  
       a perforated food basket for defining a steam chamber therein for receipt of the food, said steam chamber being positioned below said urging means;  
       means for providing steam to said steam chamber, said steam providing means being positioned below said perforated food basket, wherein said urging means urges steam from said steam providing means through said steam chamber to said convector; and  
       means for receiving a water reservoir, wherein said convector includes a slide electronic contact that permits use of more than one perforated food basket.  
     
     
       15. The apparatus of claim  14 , further comprising a second perforated food basket with a second steam chamber defined therein for receipt of the food, said second perforated food basket being positioned between said convector and said perforated food basket. 
     
     
       16. The apparatus of claim  14 , wherein said convector has a motor and an exhaust fan. 
     
     
       17. The apparatus of claim  14 , wherein said means for providing steam includes a boil chamber, and wherein said boil chamber has a heater and a thermostat. 
     
     
       18. The apparatus of claim  14 , further comprising a tilt top disposed between said providing means and said perforated food basket, wherein said tilt top collects condensate from said perforated food basket and is biased to collect said condensate away from said providing means.